How much does a dental assistant make in Santa Maria?
$51,310a year
Median yearly pay for dental assistants in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area. That is $24.67 an hour or $4,276 a month.
- Hourly
- $24.67
- Vs. national median
- +7%
- Rank among cities
- 54 of 388
- Jobs in the area
- 610
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $44,410Median: $51,310Highest 10%: $64,250
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $44,410 | $21.35 | |
| 25th | $47,250 | $22.72 | |
| Median | $51,310 | $24.67 | |
| 75th | $61,210 | $29.43 | |
| 90th | $64,250 | $30.89 |
Other cities in California
Median yearly pay for dental assistants.
| San Jose, CA | $74,600 |
| San Francisco, CA | $64,390 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $60,590 |
| Napa, CA | $60,270 |
| Vallejo, CA | $59,000 |
| Oxnard, CA | $58,930 |
| Sacramento, CA | $58,580 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $58,580 |
| San Diego, CA | $58,120 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $57,150 |
| Salinas, CA | $56,790 |
| El Centro, CA | $56,050 |
| Modesto, CA | $50,170 |
| Fresno, CA | $50,040 |
| Yuba City, CA | $50,030 |
| Hanford, CA | $49,980 |
| Stockton, CA | $49,090 |
| Merced, CA | $48,520 |
| Riverside, CA | $48,500 |
| Redding, CA | $48,490 |
| Chico, CA | $48,170 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $48,100 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $46,900 |
| Visalia, CA | $46,630 |
Related jobs in Santa Maria
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $85,150 |
| Phlebotomist | $60,290 |
| Healthcare Support Worker | $57,560 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $51,010 |
| Orderly | $50,040 |
| Medical Assistant | $49,500 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $48,260 |
| Nursing Assistant | $47,130 |
| Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker | $45,490 |
| Massage Therapist | $43,920 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dental assistant make an hour in Santa Maria?
The median hourly pay in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area is $24.67 ($51,310 a year).
Do dental assistants make more in Santa Maria than the national average?
Yes: $51,310 against $48,070 nationally, 7% more.
How does Santa Maria compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $50,110, so Santa Maria pays 2% more.
Where does Santa Maria rank for dental assistant pay?
54 of 388 metro areas with data.
How much does a dental assistant make starting out in Santa Maria?
The lowest-paid 10% make $44,410 or less a year; the top 10% make $64,250 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.